Mental illness and running - Page 5 - Health + Injury

Solb

29/07/2011 at 00:58

Ah but I did mean it Ben-o; I wondered whether you knew someone with a mental illness or suffered from one yourself and if that was why you wrote.
It's unusual for people to voluntarily engage in a conversation with someone they know hears voices etc. Generally because it's awkward and they don't know what to say rather than because they are disgusted although there's a certain amount of fear too.
I'm intrigued and a little concerned that you might be feeling low. I know if I am feeling low I get drawn to sites about mental illness etc, I'm not sure what I'm looking for just not to feel as isolated and alone I guess.
So I'll pose the question again and hope you can see it's genuine; how are you Ben-o?
I would indeed be impressed if the Dalai Lama had been speaking to you (but even I'm not that delusional!)
Upping my sugar level didn't prevent the fainting so I guess I'll just have to wait for the heart problem to get better before I run.
How about you? Are you running much? Training for anything? (yea I am nosey!)

Ben-o

29/07/2011 at 19:15

In that case...I'm good thank you. I'm looking forward to a weekend of seeing friends and running 18 miles (which I'm a little apprehensive about). I'm currently training for the Liverpool marathon, did 10 miles last night which felt pretty good.

I'm fairly sure you're a person first and the hearing voices is just something that makes you unique (I have an out-y belly button). To be honest, I love listening to people's experiences and how they've outcome them, I think they're really inspiration. Also I don't believe reality is a fixed absolute but something that each of us creates with those around us. (I've just re-read those sentences and I sound both patronising and pretentious, I win!)

Hope you're well and feeling positive.

Solb

30/07/2011 at 20:19

How did your 18 miler go? Or is it planned as a Sunday LSR?

I'm shocked about the outie belly button but I'm working on being more politically correct so I shall persevere.

I'm not awarding you the patronising and pretentiousness cup just yet but you are welcome to try again

I am finally getting better. I have just emerged from a particularly bad episode; things aren't right yet but I am just so relieved that they are finally looking up.

Big David

31/07/2011 at 21:37

Good to hear that things have taken a turn for the better SOLB.

Ben-o

31/07/2011 at 23:55

Did the 18 miler today, it wasn't as bad as I expected but I ache quite a lot now.

Political correctness? We outies don't need people to mind their Ps & Qs, we relish the fight!

I didn't know there was a cup, that's awesome! I must try harder.

It can be hard at times to see any positives, but they're always there we just need to notice them. I know it's easier said than done!

Hope you've had a good weekend.

Solb

03/08/2011 at 19:00

Thanks Big D nice to hear from you.

Aww well done Ben-o hope you have stopped aching ... we need you fit for 20 next weekend

Nam

03/08/2011 at 19:59

Ben,

Before you have a pop at GPs and "what do these people learn these days" maybe you want to do some research yourself into the neurochemistry of fainting, and an anxiety attack can indeed cause a person to faint.

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Fainting/Pages/Causes.aspx

http://www.webmd.com/brain/understanding-fainting-basics

I work in mental health services and it it quite common for people to faint when they are hyperventilating during a panic attack or phase of extreme anxiety. The combination of hyperventilation and subsequent drop in blood pressure, can easily lead to a collapse.

It's great to have opinions but get your facts right.

Solb

03/08/2011 at 20:10

Thanks Nam ... I'm not reading any more I'm enough of a hypochondriac as it is!! I'll have symptoms coming out of my ears if I'm not careful.

I'm planning a gentle jog/walk tonight so hopefully I'll avoid my old friend the syncope (see I was listening) if not I'll leave it a little longer, hope we find the cause, and try again. Running is too important to me not to keep trying.

Nam

03/08/2011 at 22:08

It's actually pretty common SOLB. It happened to me once. I had to have some stitches out after an op and got myself in such a state with nerves that I must have hyperventilated but didn't notice and all of a sudden my BP plummeted and I keeled over in the hozzie corridor. Never happened since. It doesn't have to be ongoing or serious.

Hope you can enjoy your joggle.

Ben-o

03/08/2011 at 23:57

Nam,

Sorry, but I have to disagree with you.

Anxiety increases blood pressure and causing the body to collapse during in a real or perceived threat would be an evolutionary weakness.

Hyperventilation and panic causes an overall increase in blood pressure (though hyperventilation on its own does cause a decrease). http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/407702

Fainting due to anxiety/panic attack is rare yet the fear of fainting is common (though I'll admit it can happen, even excluding blood phobia):

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cpp.531/abstract

http://www.pjapsych.com.au/default.asp?id=44

I wanted to believe it could happen, but alas The Sopranos lied to me. And I'll stick by my criticism of GPs, thanks.

Solb

04/08/2011 at 05:05

*SOLB looks nervously about, grabs earmuffs in case of an argument and stares intently at her bellybutton*

Ben-o

04/08/2011 at 17:06

Sorry SOLB. This is not the place for this discussion.

Also, what were you doing up at 5am??

Solb

04/08/2011 at 17:14

No the discussion is very welcome, it is interesting. I'll just sit here on the fence and pick splinters out of my bum.

I have chronic insomnia at the moment; turns out my magic recovery wasn't quite as permanent as I'd hoped ... the battle with myself rages on (the break was good though)

Nam

04/08/2011 at 17:16

SOLB no worries I have absolutely no intention of splitting hairs with someone here. It's too much like "work".

I know what I know. You know what you know. And he knows what he knows.

Nam

04/08/2011 at 17:19

PS your medscape article isn't actually viewable and I'm not sure I'd rank a write up of private psychology practice in Sydney over the info provided by the NHS but never mind.